title: Perspectives of academic faculty and clinical instructors on entry-level DPT preparation for pediatric physical therapist practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To prepare students for pediatric practice, the professional (entry-level) curriculum must reflect the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) required for pediatric physical therapist practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop consensus concerning the pediatric-specific KSA that should be expected of doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students at various points in the curriculum: prior to a pediatric clinical education experience, after a pediatric clinical education experience, and at the end of a DPT program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted using the Delphi method. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit pediatric academic faculty and pediatric clinical instructors. Three Web-based survey rounds were used to achieve consensus, defined as agreement among ≥70% of informants. The first round identified pediatric-specific KSA that were essential for DPT students to demonstrate at the identified points in the curriculum. In the second round, informants indicated their level of agreement with each item identified in the first round. Items that achieved consensus were included in the third round, in which informants rated the level of proficiency that DPT students should demonstrate related to pediatric-specific KSA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consensus revealed the informants' perspectives concerning pediatric-specific KSA that a DPT student should be able to demonstrate at the identified curricular points. Consensus was reached on items in the curricular categories of basic science and foundations for practice; common pediatric diagnoses/pathologies, examination, interventions/plan of care/documentation; and general skills and abilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations included the small sample size and the potential for informants to feel uncomfortable prioritizing KSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is an initial step toward identifying pediatric-specific KSA that should be demonstrated by DPT students.
authors.affiliation: L.K. Kenyon, PT, PhD, PCS, Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, 301 Michigan Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (USA).
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: Stephanie P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005178:Faculty; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*